Method and apparatus for extinguishing gas and oil well fires



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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING GAS AND OIL WELL FIRES Filed Dec. 26, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 1- Z Eigezpfor lee-i ms EXTINGUISHEHE.

Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES search PATENT OFFICE JOHN S. MURPHY, OF MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING GAS AND OIL WELL FIRES Application filed December 26, 1928. Serial No. 328,371.

This invention relates to fire fighting apparatus, and more especially to apparatus for extinguishing burning wells such as oil and gas Wells.

An object of the invention is the provision of a safe and relatively economical method of extinguishing a burning oil and/or gas Well.

Another object is the provision of apparatus adapted for use, in satisfactorily carrying the method of my invention to completion.

A more detailed object is the provision of a method of extinguishing a burning well, which comprises upsetting onto that well, a block of sufficient weight to withhold the further escape of the products of the well, this block being provided with means for controlling the flow of the said products after the block has fallen into position.

Another object is the provision of the block above mentioned, and means for transporting the block after the construction thereof has been completed to a position adjacent the well, with the block resting upon one side thereof 'so that it can be then upset to fall bottom downwards over the burning well.

Another object is the provision of a block of the above described characteristics, and which is further provided with different kinds of equipment which may be brought into service Whenever desired to take care of any of the various situations which may arise in the process of fighting the fire as hereinafter disclosed.

A further object is the provision of a block of the general class described, and which is to be used as and for the purpose set forth, this block being in the form of a hollow shell, preferably fabricated of sheet steel and suitably reinforced, and then filled with any suitable filling, such as fluid concrete, closely packed mud, or the like.

Another object is the provision of an apparatus and method of the general class described, which is equally of service in bringing under control a well which is gushing but the products of which have not been ignited.

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the apparatus by means of which the method of my invention may be carried to completion. The extinguishing block is shown adjacent the well, in position to be dropped thereupon;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the block after having been dropped to extinguishing position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the block of Fig. 1, and showing the relative position thereof in respect to the burning well;

Fig. 4: is a vertical sectional View of the block after it has been dropped to extinguishing position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view.

It frequently occurs in the process of drilling oil wells, that a well comes in so unexpectedly that the oil or gas starts flowing from the mouth of the well before it can be controlled, and that some event takes place resulting in the ignition of the products of the well, such as the striking of two rocks or pieces of metal together, producing a spark. Very frequently the resultant fire is of such proportions that the control thereof is exceedingly difiicult and is possible only with the expenditure of a large amount of money, and in some instances, the actual loss of life. Due to the intense heat of the flame, the only satisfactory method of controlling such fires heretofore produced, has been by tunneling into the surface of the earth from a point at some distance from the mouth of the burning well, to meet the well casing at fifty feet or more below the surface of the earth, and then connecting a bleeder line into the casing to withdraw at least a portion of the products of the well before they have reached a point at which they can be consumed, thus reducing the size of the flame and facilitating the process of capping the Well at the top. It is obvious that this meth- 0d of fighting an oil or gas well fire, is exceedingly dangerous, because of the fact that if any spark should be produced in the tunnel, that all the men would immediately be annihilated and the entire top of the well broken off because of the presence of highly combustible gases which permeate the soil surrounding the top of the well. Not only is this method very dangerous and apt to cost the lives of several workmen, but it is also very expensive because of the handicaps under which the workmen must operate, and the length of time required in the digging of the tunnel, it being understood that throughout this period the fire is burning up so much of the well product that the cost is very high.

By employing the method and apparatus of my invention for extinguishing a well fire, not only is the time required for the work materially reduced, but more important it may be executed in comparative safety to the workmen. Furthermore, the cost of carrying my method to completion is very much less than that of tunneling, to meet the well below the surface of the ground.

The apparatus for carrying the method of my invention to completion, comprises a relatively large and heavy block 11. It is intended that the block 11 be constructed at a pomt remote from the Well 12, which has caught fire, so that the work of construction may becompleted at a point sufliciently remote from the flame 13 to obviate hindrance of the Work by the heat from the flame. For the purpose of transporting the block 11 to a position adjacent the well 12, tracks 14 are provided. These tracks are held in parallelism by suitable ties 16 or their equivalent, and are so spaced that two of the tracks 17 and 18 are adapted to support the block 11, and a third track 19 serves as a guide to assist in retaining the block upright upon one side thereof. It is intended that the track assembly 14 be completed at some distance from the well and then dragged so that one end thereof is disposed adjacent the well, this latter position being indicated upon Figs. 1, 2 and 3. For this purpose each of the tracks is supported upon a suitable plate 21 serving as a skidway, and also to prevent the weight of the block 11 from forcing the track assembly into the ground. Furthermore, the forward end 22 of each of the plates 21, is curved upwards slightly to facilitate the dragging operation.

The block 11 is intended to be built up in such a manner that it is supported upon one side and at a portion of the tracks 14, remote from the blazing well 12. The block 11 is in the form of a hollow shell 26, the lowermost side plate 27 of which is provided with a pair of spaced guides or rails 28, the spacing between these rails 28, corresponding to the spacing between the rails 17 and 18 of the assembly 14, so that they may be supported upon rollers 29, which in turn, are supported upon the rails 17 and 18. Preferably the rollers are provided with portions 31 of reduced diameter, within each of which one of the rails 17 and 18, and one of the rails 28, are received; and flanges 32 are formed upon the outer ends of the rollers 29, to retain them in alignment upon the tracks. After the lowermost side plate 27 has been positioned upon a plurality of rollers 29 as described, the remainder of the block 11 is built up thereupon. The block includes a bottom plate 33, preferably three other side plates 34, and a top plate 36. Suitable brac ing in the form of stringers 37 and cross braces 38, are provided to impart to the structure suflicient rigidity to withstand distortion when it is dropped into extinguishing position.

Built into the block 11 preferably at the center thereof, is an aperture 41 extending from the bottom plate 33, clear through the block to the top plate 36. This aperture is conical throughout at least a portion of its length, with the larger end thereof at the bottom plate 33. A section of casing 42 extends upward from the top plate 36, as a continuation of the aperture 41, and has disposed thereupon a suitable valve 43, operable by a hand Wheel 44 or other suitable controlling means to optionally open or close the valve. Preferably another section of casing 46 extends beyond the valve 43.

A plurality of conduits 47 are also built into the block 11, these conduits being foraminous to permit the escape of steam from the interior of the block. Preferably these conduits are formed of the conventional unglazed clay pipe and are disposed so as to extend from the lowermost side plate 27 to the uppermost side plate 34 when the block is resting upon its side, as in Figs. 1 and 3. The ends 48 and 49 of the conduits 47 extend through the associated side plates 34 and 27 to establish a communication with the exterior of the block.

A plurality of conduits 51, such as well casing, extend from preferably the upper portion of the aperture 41 to the outside of the block 11, at which point each is provided with a control valve 52, it being understood that each of these conduits 51 taps the aperture 41 to establish communication therewith.

Secured to the bottom plate 33 and preferably adjacent each side of the block 11, is a flange 53 extending perpendicularly from the bottom plate 33. Gusset plates 54 are provided upon at least that flange 53 which is adjacent the lower-most side plate 27, these gusset plates being triangular in shape and firmly attached as by riveting, to the bottom plate 33 and to the flange 53 to materially strengthen the flange and prevent buckling thereof when the block drops there- IBQ-FlRE EXTINGUJQ'HEFKEE.

Search Room upon. Those gusset plates 54 extending toward the lowermost side 27, extend slightly beyond that side, the purpose being to prevent the corner of the block 11 from catching upon the track 17 when the block 11 tips over. A carriage 56 having a flanged roller 57 mounted upon the track 19, serves as an outrigger to steady the block 11 on edge during the transportation thereof. A brace 58 preferably in the form of a fabricated truse is removably connected at one end to the carriage 56 by a pin 59 and connected at its other end to the uppermost portion of the block 11 through the expedient of a bracket 62 carried by the top plate 36. A second brace 61 extends from the carriage 56 to the lower portion of the block 11, the end 63 of the brace 61 resting upon a bracket 64; and an arm 66 is provided with a finger 67 seating within a complementary recess in the brace 61 at a point beyond the end of the bracket 64. Consequently, when the brace 61 swings downward away from the arm 66, the finger '67 is removed from the complementary recess, permitting the brace 61 to fall away from the block 11.

In many instances, a conduit 68 is provided, leading to one side from adjacent the upper end of the casing 69, extending into the well, this conduit 68 being utilized during the drilling process, for the supply of circulation fluid to the vertical casing 69 and also being employed after the well has come in for taking off the oil or gas. Hence, a cutter 71 of suitable dimensions is disposed in such a position upon the proper flange 53 so that when the block 11 falls over the well, the cutter 71 is adapted to sever the horizontal casing 68.

The method of my invention also contemplates the provision of a dyke 7 2, thrown up about the well 12, the area surrounded by this dyke 72, being large enough to permit the block 11 to fall thereupon inside the dyke.

The method of extinguishing a burning oil or gas well is substantially as follows:

Before bringing the above described apparatus into use to extinguish a flaming well, it is desirable of course, to remove as much of the derrick draw works and other large pieces of apparatus which had been used in the process of drilling. This may be accomplished by attaching cables to the different structures and holding them away by tractors or the like, or by dynamiting, or in any of a number of ways, depending upon the particular circumstances of the case. Then, while the track assembly 14 is being built at a safe distance from the flame 13, the dyke 72 should be thrown up at the same time and as soon as the dyke is completed, the area therein included should be covered with water.

As soon as the track assembly 14 has been completed, it should be dragged into such position that the nearest track 17 is spaced from the well 12 a distance equal to substantially half the width of the block 11. This dragging may be accomplished by means of a fleet of tractors or by donkey engines, or in any other convenient manner that presents itself. While this is being accomplished, the construction of the block 11 should start. First a plurality of the rollers 29 should be placed upon a section of the track assembly 14 remote from the well 12, and then the lowermost side plate 27 with its tracks 28, placed thereupon. Utilizing this plate 27 as a foundation, then the remainder of the block 11 should be built up thereupon, it being under stood that if the foraminous pipes 51 are built up, as the erection of the block 11 proceeds, the fluid concrete may be poured into the block 11 as fast as the work proceeds. In other words, it is not necessary for the hollow shell 26 to be completed before the pouring of the concrete starts.

It is readily apparent that when the block 11 has been thus completed, it is of relatively great weight, it being altogether practical to construct a block of this nature, weighing in the neighborhood of 500 tons, and then move the block along the tracks 17 and 18, with the carriage 56 on the track 21 serving as a support by means of a fleet of tractors, a bank of donkey engines, or any other convenient manner. It is readily apparent that by attaching cables to the block 11, this work may be done from considerable distance, with the exception that it is necessary when employing the present type of roller construction to carry the rollers 29 from the after side of the block 11, to the forward side thereof, and place them upon the track for the block 11 to roll thereupon as it moves up to them.

Moreover, in certain instances it will prove to be practical to construct the block 11 adjacent the well, instead of at a point remote from the well and then moving the block up to the well. If desirable, suitable screening may be employed to protect the workmen from the heat of the flame 13.

After the block 11 has been disposed adjacent the fiaming well as shown upon Figs. 1 and 3, the pin 59 should be removed, disconnecting the braces 58 and 61 from the carriage 56 to permit the substitution therefor of any suitable type of jack or other means whereby force may be applied to the braces 58 and 61, and thence to the block 11 to upset it over the flaming well to the position indicated in Figs. 2 and 4. The heavy bracing 38 and the many stringers 37 inside the block 11, will prevent its being broken up in its fall. The water which has been placed within the dyke 72, serves to soften the ground around the well so that when the block 11 falls, any relatively small pieces of apparatus or even the columns upon which the derrick was previously supported, will be crushed into the ground. Furthermore, the ground is so sof- .Will be sufliciently large to make a break in the stream of combustible fluid flowing from the well, to extinguish the flame of its own accord. However, should this not prove to be the case, the valve 43 may be closed, and one or more of the valves 53 opened to relieve the pressure under the block and draw off the products of the well, it being understood that the flame after the block 11 has fallen, will be above the upper end of the conduit 46, unless the flame has been extinguished by the plug of water entrapped and forced through the conical hole 41 as the block falls. It should be noted that the conduit 48 is of considerable length so that the heat of the flame will be less liable to damage the valve 43, and furthermore, that the valve 43 is disposed at considerable height above the round after the block has fallen. This is an essential feature in some instances because frequently the casing 12 extends for some distance above the ground, and sometimes it is impossible to remove the drilling tools 76 as the well starts to come in. If this should be the case and the valve 43 were disposed close to the ground, it is probable that either the upper end of the casing 12 or the drilling tools 76 would seriously damage the valve when the block falls, or would interfere with closing of the valve.

Preferably the block 11 is so proportioned that its weight is suflicient to hold the flow of well products against their relatively high pressure, so that the valve 43 may be readily closed to extinguish the flame, after which the valves 52 may be opened to withdraw the products of the well. However, should it eventuate that the pressure developed in the well is greater than the block 11 is capable of Withholding, then this pressure may be relieved immediately the block falls, by opening as many of the valves 52 as seems to be desirable, care being taken that the fluid flowing from the valves 52 is not ignited from the flame 13.

The function of the foraminous conduits 47 is to permit the escape of steam from the interior of the block, this steam being developed because of the intensely high temperature to which the block 11 will be subject ed while it is still standing on edge adjacent the flaming well. In all probability this heat will be so intense that the block 11 will be exploded by the steam pressure developed therein, if the conduits 47 or other means for relieving this pressure, are not provided.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A. device of the character described, comprising a relatively heavy block having a tapering aperture therethrough with the larger end of said aperture at the bottom of the block, means for transporting said block on its side to a position adjacent a flowing well, means for upsetting said block to fall with said aperture over said well, and flanges extending from the bottom of said block in position to be embedded in the earth about said well after the block has been upset thereupon.

9 A device of the character described, comprising a relatively heavy block, means for transporting said block on its side to a position adjacent a flowing well, means for upsetting said block to fall over said well, and flanges extending from the bottom of said block in position to be embedded in the earth about said well after the block has been upset thereupon.

A device of the character described, comprising a relatively heavy block having a tapering aperture therethrough with the larger end of said aperture at the bottom of the block. means for transporting said block on its side to a position adjacent a flowing well, means for upsetting said block to fall with said aperture over said well, means for closing the smaller end of said aperture, an outlet conduit extending from said aperture below said closing means, means for controlling the flow through said conduit, and flanges extending from the bottom of said block in position to be embedded in the earth about said well after the block has been upset thereupon.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a relatively heavy block, and means for transporting said block on its side to a position adjacent a flowing well, said means comprising a track, and rollers supported upon said track and supporting said block.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a relatively heavy block, and means for transporting said block on its side to a position adjacent a flowing well, said means comprising a track slidable to a position spaced from the well a d stance equal to substantially half the width of the block, and rollers supported on said track and supporting said block.

6. A device of the character described. comprising a relatively heavy block, and means for transporting said block on its side to a position adjacent a flowing well, said means comprising a plurality of tracks, means securing said tracks in parallelism, one end of each of said tracks being curved iGQ-FIRE EXT INGUlS'HERS.

Search Boon upwards to facilitate dragging them to a position adjacent a burning well, rollers supported upon certain of said tracks and supporting said block, a brace extending from adjacent the uppermost side of said block, and a roller journalled at the other end of said brace and supported upon another of said tracks.

7 A device of the character described, comprising a relatively heavy block, and means for transporting said block on its side to a position adjacent a flowing well, said means comprising a plurality of tracks, means securing .said tracks in parallelism, one end of each of said tracks being curved upwards to facilitate dragging them to a position adjacent a burning well, rollers supported upon certain of said tracks and supporting said block, a carriage including a roller journalled thereon and supported up on another of said tracks, a brace extending from adjacent the uppermost side of said block and removably attached to said carriage, a second brace extending from adjacent the lowermost side of the block to said carriage, and automatically disconnectible means joining said second mentioned brace to the block.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a relatively heavy block, means for transporting said block on its side to a position adjacent a flowing well, and means for upsetting said block to fall over said well, said block comprising a hollow shell, bracing therein, a plurality of porous conduits disposed within said block and extending to the exterior thereof, and a filling of concrete.

9. A device of the character described, comprising a relatively heavy block. means for transporting said block on its side to a position adjacent a flowing well, and means for upsetting said block to fall over said well, said block comprising a hollow shell, bracing therein. and a filling of cementitious material.

10. A device of the character described, comprising a relatively heavy block, means for transporting said block on its side to a position adjacent a flowing well. and means for upsetting said block to fall over said well. said block comprising a hollow shell, bracing therein, a plurality of porous conduits disposed within said block and extending to the exterior thereof through that side of the block which is uppermost during construction and transportation thereof, and a filling of concrete.

11. An apparatus for extinguishing a burning well, comprising a dyke built around said well, water covering the area surrounded by said dyke, a block standing on its side adjacent said well, said block having a conical aperture therethrough with the larger end thereof being disposed in that side of the block toward the well, means for closing said aperture, and means for tipping said block over into said water and onto the top of the well in position to bring said aperture into register with the well, said block being of sutficient weight to stop the flow of combustible material from the well.

12. An apparatus for extinguishing a burning well, comprising a dyke built around said well, water covering the area surrounded by said dyke, a block standing on its side, means for transporting said block to a position adjacent said well, said block having a conical aperture therethrough with the larger end thereof being disposed in that side of the block toward the well, means for closing said aperture, and means for tipping said block over into said water and onto the top of the well in position to bring said aperture into register with the well, said block being of suificient weight to stop the flow of combustible material from the well.

13. The method of extinguishing a burning well, which comprises throwing up a dyke therearound, placing water within the area surrounded by said dyke and upsetting a relatively heavy block into said water and onto said well in position to bring an aperture extending through the block into register with the well.

14. The method of extinguishing a burning well, which comprises throwing up a dyke therearound, placing water within the areasurrounded by said 'dyke, upsetting a relatively heavy block into said water and onto said well in position to bring conical aperture extending through the block into register with the well and closing the smaller end of said aperture to stop the flow of combustible material therethrough to extinguish the flame.

15. The method of extinguishing a burning well, which comprises throwing up a dyke therearound, placing water within the area surrounded by said dyke, upsetting a relatively heavy block into said water and onto said well in position to bring conical aperture extending through the block into register with the well, closing the smaller end of said aperture to stop the flow of combustible material therethrough to extinguish the flame, and opening an outlet from said aperture to relieve the pressure under the block and draw off the product of the well.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN S. MURPHY. 

